About
The six Vanderbilt Cup Races held on Long Island from 1904 to 1910 were the greatest sporting events of their day, and the first international automobile road races held in the United States. The races had a far-reaching impact on the development of American automobiles and parkways. This site provides comprehensive information on the races, the Long Island Motor Parkway and current Long Island automotive events, car shows and news.
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Co-Founder and Writer: Howard Kroplick
Co-Founder: Dana Kroplick
Website by Eric Miller Design
Site maintained by Hop Studios
Recent Comments
16th Street Speedway
It was located across from the South entrance to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is no longer in existence.
The Firecracker Kid. For his tendency to toss firecrackers under chairs and in groups of people.
A car wash is located where the Tucker dealership was.
April - May of 1948. Given that the Tucker 48 was scheduled for the 1948 model year advertising on a program for a Spring time event makes sense.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: A Vintage 1948 Race Poster
The advertised racetrack is the 16th Street Speedway, formerly known as the Indianapolis Midget Speedway.
The track was located across the street from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as seen in the attached photo. It closed in 1959, but seems to have been revived in 1995, but closed again in 1999.
Hansen’s nickname was The Firecracker Kid since he liked to jokingly toss firecrackers near unsuspecting victims.
The Tucker dealership is now a Crew Car Wash (pic attached).
Although the picture of the Tucker on the poster was produced by Alex Tremulis for a February 1947 campaign, the poster most likely would have been from 1948 as the name change for the speedway happened in 1948 while it was under new ownership. The hopeful Tucker dealership must have just used the old literature they had rather than updating the drawing to at least the Tin Goose which would have been more representative of the final design for the Tucker 48.
From Mystery Friday Foto #15 Solved: A Vintage 1948 Race Poster
Patience as things heal ,than persistence with physical therapy and you will be back in the driver’s seat in a little while .Wishing you no potholes in your road to recovery .
From Update Sunday, 6/29/2025: Rehab Update: Rehab at 90% Healing
CONGRATULATIONS !!!! IT IS IN THE RIGHT HANDS…...
From Mike Tucker, Sean Tucker and Rob Ida's Newly Acquired Tucker #51
Looking forward to seeing this beauty alongside Tucker #44 someday at a special showing at the Waterfront!
From Mike Tucker, Sean Tucker and Rob Ida's Newly Acquired Tucker #51
Called Dan and I will attend and bring my 1966 Buick Wildcat
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Dan Bonaventre has confirmed the date as Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Dan: “Just wanted to say thank you again. I’ve received more than a few inquiries and everyone has been so wonderful and generous with their time.”
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Chris, good catch! I will confirm the date with Dan Bonaventre. Howard
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Wednesday, April 19, 2025 is a Saturday….
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
April 29th is a Saturday
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
That’s a 1935 Duesenberg Model SSJ that was once regularly driven by Gary Cooper. It’s special because it is one of only two ever built, has had just two owners since 1949 (Briggs Cunningham & Miles Collier), and remains in basically unrestored condition. It sold for 22 million dollars at the Gooding & Co. auction in Pebble Beach in 2018. The other SSJ was once owned by Clark Gable.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
Mark, as seen above, this year we will be at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibits for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 5/8/26
Paul, I don’t know of any of the concours that pay for transport.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibits for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 5/8/26
Hi, Howard:
Would any of the car shows you promote pay for flatbed transport of the Batmobile? Are there any shows in NJ? Cosplay characters are available for a fee as well.
Thanks,
Paul
From Upcoming car shows, concours and exhibits for the Howard & Roz Kroplick Collection: Updated 5/8/26
Howard,
Clark Gable’s Duesenberg SSJ. One of two made. Miles Collier had it in his Rev’s Institute collection.
You have company. I just ruptured my Achille’s tendon as well . Long road to recovery.
Graham
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
All I can say is the car is a Duesenberg. Other than that I can’t come up with any other answers. Rog
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
Peter, that’s all the information that I have. Suggest calling Dan at 917-273-7010.
Enjoy,
Howard
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
Interested just looking for some more details just pics? And how long?
From Producer Dan Bonaventre is looking for 6-8 classic cars for a network challenge show
As always, this compilation of old stories is a treat. I’m curious about the old map near the article about 3 1/2 acres for sale in East Williston that shows one Carl G. Fisher as a landowner. Fisher was an interesting guy, starting (according to Wikipedia) by patenting and selling early acetylene headlights, developing Miami Beach and Montauk, among other things. He also developed a small community here in my home town, Port Washington (Bayview Colony). But I wasn’t aware that he had anything to do with East Williston. Anybody know anything about this property?
Thanks!
From Kleiner's Korner: 100 Years Ago on the Motor Parkway (March, April 1925)
There were 2 short wheelbase SSJ Duesenbergs built - most claim in 1935. The tu-tone gray one was first bought by Gary Cooper. It started out being Tan which Gary’s wife did not like. This car was in the Briggs Cunningham collection for many years. When it was sold to the Collier Rev Institute they displayed it for several years. Then they did some financial re-organization and sold it for $22 million. The red and silver one some claim Clark Gable owned it or maybe Tyrone Powers. Gable had a lot of publicity photo shot with cars did not own. A friend who was on the board of the ACD Museum told me he drove it and the body work was slightly different than the Cooper SSJ. In the 1980s several replicas were built using Dodge truck chassis and Bill Honda replica sheet metal. Some were painted red and silver like the real one. These cars are very good copies except they have hubcaps rather than wire wheels.
From Mystery Friday Foto #14 Solved: A Special Duesenberg SSJ
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